Retablos and Ex-Votos Exhibit
October 28 - November 27, 2002
Retablos and Ex-Votos:
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Ex-Voto Usage |
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Ex-Votos are always dedicated to specific saints or religious images.
The entire pantheon of Catholic imagery may be used, but usually in Mexico
they are dedicated to the specific images of certain churches that are
said to be especially responsive to prayer requests. Not every church
will have Ex-Votos exposed inside, but places of pilgrimage often have
a great many on display. Most often the place of display is a sacristy,
behind the altar, a side chapel or in some cases a special purpose-built
space. For the church or parish that exhibits Ex- Votos their display
is an affirmation of the power of faith, the strength of the church, and
the miraculous power of the specific patron saint of that church. For
the villages where such churches are located this can represent a significant
amount of economic resources (due to pilgrims or visitors) as well as
a source of local pride for their inhabitants. |
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Normally in places of Ex- Voto productions those seeking to dedicate them would search out a "retablista" or "pintor de retablos"(retablo painter). These locally based artisans, always academically unschooled, usually produced Ex-Votos as a part-time occupation. Many also were santeros-carvers of religious images, furniture and dance masks. These artisans would either set up shop in their normal place of business or workshops, or exhibit their work at stands or booths immediately outside the church. These are also usually cottage handcrafts in which entire families may be involved. |
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The religious images used in Ex -Votos were either copies of the images
exhibited at the churches, or derived from lithographs or printed pieces.
The retablista may also have carried an inventory of stock painted laminas
to show his work. The person dedicating the Ex-Voto would then relate
to the artisan the event and circumstances which he or she would want
portrayed. The artisan would then either depict that event, or use a
standard scene to represent it. Normally at the bottom of the lamina
a dedication would be written spelling out the event, mentioning place,
date, and name of the persons involved or those dedicating the Ex-Voto.
The spelling and grammar of these inscriptions are extremly creative.
Ex- Votos are also assembled in a collage manner with a printed cut-out
or photo of the saint and, at times, the dedication pasted on it. |
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